Football 3 years ago

Rogic needs space to develop, urges Cahill

Socceroos talisman Tim Cahill has implored Australia and the world to give rising star Tom Rogic the time and space he needs to flourish.

Rogic is back in the national fold after two injury-cruelled seasons that forced him to miss the World Cup in Brazil and Australia's Asian Cup triumph earlier this year.

While coach Ange Postecoglou has been careful not to expect too much too soon, the prodigious 22-year-old midfielder appears to be back to his best.

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Hours before flying to his native Canberra for the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier with Kyrgyzstan, Rogic netted an screamer for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League club's 4-1 away win over Ross County.

The youngster's prolific form has earned high praise at home and abroad, and will ensure he receives a rockstar welcome at GIO Stadium on Thursday night.

Cahill lauded Rogic's achievements, however he also urged people to allow the former Central Coast Mariner to develop free of pressure.

"This is a great story because Tommy is a player I've known for a long time, and obviously someone I admire a lot," Cahill said.

"I just feel now he just needs his time to play. Everyone knows he's going to shine, but for him he just needs space.

"Naturally Tommy will thrive, and he'll be one of our top players because of his ability.

"He's playing for one of the biggest clubs in Celtic, so he's getting his rewards for the hard work he's putting in."

Having been through it all himself, Cahill empathised with Rogic's promising yet equally challenging position.

"We want boys to be consistent. We don't need them to want a moment once," Cahill said.

"I think with any sort of soccer player it's about professionalism and how many times they can back their camps up, and how many games they play in the week, and what noises are they are making overseas or in the A-League.

"And they use that momentum to get better.

"The problem is, if a player scores one goal he's a superstar for two weeks and then the next week he's forgotten about.

"For us, they need to get consistency on doing well for the Socceroos on a regular basis.

"None of them can really be assessed properly until after 30 or 40 games domestically and internationally, which is the key."

Rogic is expected to arrive in Canberra by Tuesday morning along with Trent Sainsbury, Alex Wilkinson, Ryan McGowan, Mathew Leckie and James Meredith.

The rest of the squad completed a full training session on Monday afternoon, while fit-again goalkeeper Mat Ryan and defender Jason Davidson undertook only light duties.